Method, apparatus, and computer program product for powering electronic devices

ABSTRACT

Example method, apparatus, and computer program product embodiments are disclosed for negotiation of wireless powering of passive objects. Example embodiments of the invention include a method comprising: receiving, via a radio frequency wireless interface of an apparatus, a radio frequency signal from a wireless device, indicating that the wireless device is capable of receiving optical powering; switching on, by the apparatus, an optical energy source in the apparatus; and transmitting, by the apparatus, from the optical energy source, optical power to the wireless device in response to the radio frequency signal.

FIELD

The field of the invention relates to wireless communication, and moreparticularly to negotiation of wireless powering.

BACKGROUND

Modern society has adopted, and is becoming reliant upon, wirelesscommunication devices for various purposes, such as connecting users ofthe wireless communication devices with other users. Wirelesscommunication devices can vary from battery powered handheld devices tostationary household and/or commercial devices utilizing an electricalnetwork as a power source. Due to rapid development of the wirelesscommunication devices, a number of areas capable of enabling entirelynew types of communication applications have emerged.

Cellular networks facilitate communication over large geographic areas.These network technologies have commonly been divided by generations,starting in the late 1970s to early 1980s with first generation (1G)analog cellular telephones that provided baseline voice communications,to modern digital cellular telephones. GSM is an example of a widelyemployed 2G digital cellular network communicating in the 900 MHz/1.8GHz bands in Europe and at 850 MHz and 1.9 GHz in the United States.While long-range communication networks, like GSM, are a well-acceptedmeans for transmitting and receiving data, due to cost, traffic andlegislative concerns, these networks may not be appropriate for all dataapplications.

Short-range communication technologies provide communication solutionsthat avoid some of the problems seen in large cellular networks.Bluetooth™ is an example of a short-range wireless technology quicklygaining acceptance in the marketplace. In addition to Bluetooth™ othershort-range communication technologies include Bluetooth™ Low Energy,IEEE 802.11 wireless local area network (WLAN), Wireless USB, ZigBee(IEEE 802.15.4, IEEE 802.15.4a), and ultra high frequency radiofrequency identification (UHF RFID) technologies. All of these wirelesscommunication technologies have features and advantages that make themappropriate for various applications.

Near field communication technologies, such as radio frequencyidentification (RFID) technologies, comprise a range of RF transmissionsystems, for example standardized and proprietary systems for a largenumber of different purposes, such as product tagging for inventoryhandling and logistics, theft prevention purposes at the point of sale,and product recycling at the end of the life-cycle of the taggedproduct. In addition to RFID technologies, Near Field Communication(NFC) technology has recently evolved from a combination of existingcontactless identification and interconnection technologies. NFC is botha “read” and “write” technology. Communication between twoNFC-compatible devices occurs when they are brought within closeproximity of each other: A simple wave or touch may establish an NFCconnection that may be used to exchange specific information for anothercommunications protocol, which may then be used to create an actualconnection in the other communications protocol, such as Bluetooth™ orwireless local area network (WLAN).

SUMMARY

Example method, apparatus, and computer program product embodiments aredisclosed for negotiation of wireless powering of passive objects.

Example embodiments of the invention include a method comprising:

receiving, via a radio frequency wireless interface of an apparatus, aradio frequency signal from a wireless device, indicating that thewireless device is capable of receiving optical powering;

switching on, by the apparatus, an optical energy source in theapparatus; and

transmitting, by the apparatus, from the optical energy source, opticalpower to the wireless device in response to the radio frequency signal.

Example embodiments of the invention include a method comprising:

receiving, by the apparatus, a radio frequency wireless message from thewireless device, indicating optical power requirements of the wirelessdevice; and

transmitting, by the apparatus, optical power at a level based on theindicated optical power requirements.

Example embodiments of the invention include a method comprising:

exchanging, via the radio frequency wireless interface of the apparatus,radio frequency wireless messages including data to be communicated withthe wireless device.

Example embodiments of the invention include a method comprising:

transmitting a radio frequency signal providing initial power for thewireless device, the signal comprising near field communication signal;and

transmitting, by the apparatus, optical power to the wireless device, tosupplement the energy provided by the radio frequency signal.

Example embodiments of the invention include a method comprising:

receiving, by the apparatus, a radio frequency wireless message from thewireless device, indicating no more optical power is required by thewireless device; and

switching off, by the apparatus, the optical energy source in theapparatus;

Example embodiments of the invention include a method comprising:

wherein the apparatus is a mobile device that includes a camera and theoptical energy source in the apparatus comprises an optical flashassociated with the camera.

Example embodiments of the invention include a method comprising:

transmitting, by an apparatus, a radio frequency signal to a mobilewireless device, indicating that the apparatus is capable of receivingoptical powering;

receiving, by the apparatus, optical power from the mobile wirelessdevice in response to the radio frequency signal; and

operating, by the apparatus, electronic components in the apparatus,using at least the optical power from the mobile wireless device.

Example embodiments of the invention include a method comprising:

using, by the apparatus, an excess portion of the received optical powerfor reading data from or storing data into an associated memory of theapparatus.

Example embodiments of the invention include a method comprising:

exchanging, by the apparatus, radio frequency wireless messagesincluding data via a radio frequency wireless interface of the mobilewireless device.

Example embodiments of the invention include a method comprising:

transmitting, by the apparatus, a radio frequency wireless message tothe mobile wireless device, indicating optical power requirements of theapparatus; and

receiving, by the apparatus, optical power from the mobile wirelessdevice, at a level based on the indicated optical power requirements.

Example embodiments of the invention include an apparatus comprising:

an optical energy source;

a radio frequency wireless interface;

at least one processor;

at least one memory including computer program code;

the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to,with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to:

receive, via the radio frequency wireless interface, a radio frequencysignal from a wireless device, indicating that the wireless device iscapable of receiving optical powering;

switch on the optical energy source in the apparatus; and

transmit, from the optical energy source, optical power to the wirelessdevice in response to the radio frequency signal.

Example embodiments of the invention include an apparatus comprising:

the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to,with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to:

receive a radio frequency wireless message from the wireless device,indicating optical power requirements of the wireless device; and

transmit optical power at a level based on the indicated optical powerrequirements.

Example embodiments of the invention include an apparatus comprising:

the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to,with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to:

exchange, via the radio frequency wireless interface, radio frequencywireless messages including data to be communicated with the wirelessdevice.

Example embodiments of the invention include an apparatus comprising:

the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to,with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to:

transmit a radio frequency signal providing initial power for thewireless device, the signal comprising near field communication signal;and

transmit optical power to the wireless device, to supplement the energyprovided by the radio frequency signal.

Example embodiments of the invention include an apparatus comprising:

the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to,with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to:

receive a radio frequency wireless message from the wireless device,indicating no more optical power is required by the wireless device; and

switch the optical energy source in the apparatus;

Example embodiments of the invention include an apparatus comprising:

wherein the apparatus is a mobile device that includes a camera and theoptical energy source in the apparatus comprises an optical flashassociated with the camera.

Example embodiments of the invention include an apparatus comprising:

at least one processor;

at least one memory including computer program code;

the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to,with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to:

transmit a radio frequency signal to a mobile wireless device,indicating that the apparatus is capable of receiving optical powering;

receive optical power from the mobile wireless device in response to theradio frequency signal; and

operate electronic components in the apparatus, using at least theoptical power from the mobile wireless device.

Example embodiments of the invention include an apparatus comprising:

the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to,with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to:

use an excess portion of the received optical power for reading datafrom or storing data into an associated memory of the apparatus.

Example embodiments of the invention include an apparatus comprising:

the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to,with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to:

exchange radio frequency wireless messages including data via a radiofrequency wireless interface of the mobile wireless device.

Example embodiments of the invention include an apparatus comprising:

the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to,with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to:

transmitting, by the apparatus, a radio frequency wireless message tothe mobile wireless device, indicating optical power requirements of theapparatus; and

receiving, by the apparatus, optical power from the mobile wirelessdevice, at a level based on the indicated optical power requirements.

Example embodiments of the invention include a computer program productcomprising computer executable program code recorded on a computerreadable non-transitory storage medium, the computer executable programcode comprising:

code for receiving, via a radio frequency wireless interface of anapparatus, a radio frequency signal from a wireless device, indicatingthat the wireless device is capable of receiving optical powering;

code for switching on, by the apparatus, an optical energy source in theapparatus; and

code for transmitting, by the apparatus, from the optical energy source,optical power to the wireless device in response to the radio frequencysignal.

Example embodiments of the invention include a computer program productcomprising computer executable program code recorded on a computerreadable non-transitory storage medium, the computer executable programcode comprising:

code for transmitting, by an apparatus, a radio frequency signal to amobile wireless device, indicating that the apparatus is capable ofreceiving optical powering;

code for receiving, by the apparatus, optical power from the mobilewireless device in response to the radio frequency signal; and

code for operating, by the apparatus, electronic components in theapparatus, using at least the optical power from the mobile wirelessdevice.

The resulting embodiments enable negotiation of wireless powering ofpassive objects.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1A is an example network diagram of a mobile wireless device A anda wireless memory tag B, performing an initial setup negotiation using aNear Field Communications (NFC) connection. The negotiation mayestablish supplementary optical power delivery from the mobile wirelessdevice A to the wireless memory tag B, in accordance with exampleembodiments of the invention.

FIG. 1B is an example network diagram of the mobile wireless device Aand the wireless memory tag B, performing the supplementary opticalpower delivery from the mobile wireless device A to the wireless memorytag B. The optical power delivery may use the LED flash of the cameracomponent of the mobile wireless device A to illuminate and energize thephotovoltaic cell in the wireless memory tag B, in accordance withexample embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 1C is an example network diagram of a mobile wireless device Ax anda wireless memory tag Bx, performing an initial setup negotiation usinga combined UWB and narrow-band wireless memory tag technology. Thenegotiation may establish supplementary optical power delivery from themobile wireless device Ax to the wireless memory tag Bx, in accordancewith example embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 1D is an example network diagram of the mobile wireless device Aand the wireless memory tag B of FIG. 1A, where a feedback signal fromthe wireless memory tag B indicates the received level of optical powerbeing delivered to its photovoltaic cell. In response, the mobilewireless device A uses the feedback signal to generate a lens directioncontrol signal to the lens of the LED flash. The lens direction controlsignal may transversely sweep the direction of the optical beam issuingfrom the LED flash so as to target the beam more closely onto thephotovoltaic cell in the wireless memory tag B, in accordance withexample embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 2A is an example network diagram of a first mobile wireless deviceA and a second mobile wireless device B′, performing an initial setupnegotiation using a Near Field Communications (NFC) connection. Thenegotiation may establish supplementary optical power delivery from thefirst mobile wireless device A to the second mobile wireless device B′,in accordance with example embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 2B is an example network diagram of the first mobile wirelessdevice A and the second mobile wireless device B, performing thesupplementary optical power delivery from the first mobile wirelessdevice A to the second mobile wireless device B. The optical powerdelivery may use the LED flash of the camera component of the firstmobile wireless device A to illuminate and energize the photovoltaiccell in the second mobile wireless device B, in accordance with exampleembodiments of the invention.

FIG. 2C is an example network diagram of a first mobile wireless deviceAx′ and a second mobile wireless device Bx′, performing an initial setupnegotiation using a combined UWB and narrow-band wireless memory tagtechnology. The negotiation may establish supplementary optical powerdelivery from the first mobile wireless device Ax′ to the second mobilewireless device Bx′, in accordance with example embodiments of theinvention.

FIG. 3 is an example flow diagram of the process performed by firstmobile wireless device A in the initial setup negotiation using a NearField Communications (NFC) or ultra wideband communications connection.The negotiation may establish supplementary optical power delivery fromthe first mobile wireless device A to the second mobile wireless deviceB, in accordance with example embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 3A is an example flow diagram of the process performed by mobilewireless device A, in accordance with example embodiments of theinvention.

FIG. 3B is an example flow diagram of the process performed by thesecond wireless device B′, in accordance with example embodiments of theinvention.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example embodiment of the invention, whereinexamples of removable storage media are shown. The removable storagemedia are based on magnetic, electronic and/or optical technologies.Examples include magnetic disks, optical disks, semiconductor memorycircuit devices and micro-SD memory cards (SD refers to the SecureDigital standard) for storing data and/or computer program code as anexample computer program product, in accordance with at least oneembodiment of the present invention.

DISCUSSION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

This section is organized into the following topics:

A. Wireless Short-Range Communication Networks

B. Bluetooth™ Communication Technology

C. Near-Field Communication (NFC) Technology

D. Wireless Memory Tag Technology

E. Digital Camera Technology

F. Use of Mobile Device Camera Flash for Powering Electronic Devices

A. Wireless Short-Range Communication Networks

Short-range communication technologies provide communication solutionsappropriate for many data applications, without the cost, traffic andlegislative concerns of longer-range communication technologies.Short-range communication technologies include Bluetooth basicrate/enhanced data rate (BR/EDR), Bluetooth Low Energy (LE), IEEE 802.11wireless local area network (WLAN), Wireless Universal Serial Bus(WUSB), ZigBee (IEEE 802.15.4, IEEE 802.15.4a), and near fieldcommunication technologies, such as radio frequency identification(RFID) and near field communication (NFC) technology that enablecontactless identification and interconnection of wireless devices.

B. Bluetooth™ Communication Technology

A procedure for forming connections between Bluetooth™ devices isdescribed in the Bluetooth™ Specification, Version 4, Jun. 30, 2010. TheBluetooth™ Baseband is the part of the Bluetooth™ system that implementsthe Media Access Control (MAC) and physical layer procedures to supportthe connection formation, exchange of data information streams, and adhoc networking between Bluetooth™ devices. Connection formation mayinclude inquiry, inquiry scanning, inquiry response, in addition topaging, page scanning, and page response procedures.

C. Near-Field Communication (NFC) Technology

Near field communication technologies, such as radio frequencyidentification (RFID) technologies, comprise a range of RF transmissionsystems, for example standardized and proprietary systems for a largenumber of different purposes, such as product tagging for inventoryhandling and logistics, theft prevention purposes at the point of sale,and product recycling at the end of the life-cycle of the taggedproduct.

RFID transponders may be the passive type or the active type. A passiveRFID transponder requires no internal power source to communicate withan RFID reader, and is only active when it is near an RFID reader thatenergizes the transponder with a continuous radio frequency signal at aresonant frequency of the antenna. The small electrical current inducedin the antenna by the continuous radio frequency signal provides enoughpower for an integrated circuit in the transponder to power up andtransmit a modulated response, typically by backscattering thecontinuous carrier wave from the RFID reader. A passive RFID transpondermay include writable electrically erasable, programmable, read-onlymemory (EEPROM) for storing data received from the RFID reader, whichmodulates the continuous carrier wave sent by the RFID reader. Readingdistances for passive RFID transponders typically range from a fewcentimeters to a few meters, depending on the radio frequency andantenna design. By contrast, active RFID transponders require a powersource to receive and transmit information with an RFID reader. The RFIDtransponder may be affixed to or integrated with a mobile wirelessdevice and the user may bring the RFID transponder on one device closeto an RFID reader circuit in another mobile wireless device to allownear field communication between the devices. In example embodiments,both devices may have RFID reader circuits to read RFID signals from theother device.

In addition to RFID technologies, Near Field Communication (NFC)technology has recently evolved from a combination of existingcontactless identification and interconnection technologies. NFC is botha “read” and “write” technology. Communication between twoNFC-compatible devices occurs when they are brought within closeproximity of each other: A simple wave or touch may establish an NFCconnection.

Near-field communication (NFC) technology communicates between two NFCDevices or between an NFC device and an NFC Tag via magnetic fieldinduction, where two loop antennas are located within each other's nearfield, effectively energizing a wireless contact by forming an air-coretransformer. An example NFC radio operates within the unlicensed radiofrequency ISM band of 13.56 MHz, with a bandwidth of approximately 2 MHzover a typical distance of a few centimeters. The NFC radio may beaffixed to a new wireless client device (STA) and the user brings theNFC radio on the device close to an access point (AP) or Registrar ofthe Network to allow near field communication between the devices.

NFC technology is an extension of the ISO/IEC 14443 proximity-cardstandard (incorporated herein by reference) for contactless smartcardsand radio frequency ID (RFID) devices, which combines the interface of acontactless smartcard and a reader into a single device, and uses theISO/IEC 18092 NFC communication standard (incorporated herein byreference) to enable two-way communication. An NFC radio may communicatewith both existing ISO/IEC 14443 contactless smartcards and readers, aswell as with other NFC devices by using ISO/IEC 18092. The ISO/IEC 18092standard defines communication modes for Near Field CommunicationInterface and Protocol (NFCIP-1) using inductively coupled devicesoperating at the center frequency of 13.56 MHz for interconnection ofcomputer peripherals. The ISO/IEC 18092 standard specifies modulationschemes, codings, transfer speeds and frame format of the RF interface,initialization schemes, conditions required for data collision controlduring initialization, and a transport protocol including protocolactivation and data exchange methods.

The NFC Data Exchange Format (NDEF) specification, NFC Forum DataExchange Format (NDEF) Specification, NFC Forum™, 2006 (incorporatedherein by reference), defines a common data format for NFC devices toexchange application or service specific data. An NDEF message isconstructed of a number of NDEF records, with the first and the lastrecord providing message begin and end markers. Between two NFC Devices,NDEF messages may be exchanged over the NFC Logical Link ControlProtocol (LLCP) protocol, specified in NFC Forum Logical Link ControlProtocol Specification, NFC Forum™, 2009 (incorporated herein byreference). The NFC Connection Handover specification, NFC ForumConnection Handover Specification, NFC Forum™, 2010 Jul. 7 (incorporatedherein by reference), defines the exchange of NDEF messages between twoNFC Devices in a negotiated handover to discover and negotiatealternative wireless communication technologies.

D. Wireless Memory Tag Technology

NFC devices may also be used for low power level wireless powering. Asan example, a mobile wireless device may provide power wirelessly to awireless memory tag. With wireless powering, a large memory and anultra-low power wireless broadband transceiver embedded in the tag maybe powered for wireless reading and writing of the memory in the tag. Aspecial wireless powering mode may be used to keep high power transferefficiency on during the whole data transfer session of the wirelessmemory operation. Power transfer of 20-50 mW power class may be doneusing standard NFC transceivers and typical NFC antennas up to 30 mmdistances.

A wireless memory tag may be an integrated package that comprises adigital memory and an NFC controller capable of exchanging NFC radiofrequency (RF) signals with other NFC controllers or with NFC tags. Awireless memory tag typically has no battery power of its own, butextracts its operating power from an NFC signal received from anotherNFC controller. The memory of a wireless memory tag may be anon-volatile memory such as an electrically erasable, programmable,read-only memory (EEPROM) module that may be combined with a volatilerandom access memory (RAM) module. The memory is coupled to the NFCcontroller that includes operating logic and transport layer firmware.An NFC discovery RF signal sequence may be exchanged between two NFCcontrollers, each sequence of RF signals comprising a plurality ofdiscovery periods. Discovery periods may include a poll interval, alisten interval, and an idle interval. For example, an NFC Reader/Writerdevice such as a tag reader that is part of a mobile telephone, hassufficient power to transmit poll messages in polling intervals. Ageneral purpose NFC device such as a mobile telephone, may have some orall of those intervals, depending on the device's mode of operation. AnNFC Reader/Writer device in a wireless memory tag that has no batterypower available, must rely on receiving poll messages from other devicesand then extracting its operating power from the received poll messageto respond with its own poll message.

Wireless memory tags may include radio-frequency identification tagsthat are accessed with very high data rates. These wireless memory tagsmay be powered by a continuous wave radio signal at one set poweringradio frequency (for example 13.56 MHz or 900 MHz) while data transferis carried out using simple on-off keying on a set of ultra-widebandcommunication radio frequencies. The wireless memory tags may bedesigned to operate over short distances in order to enable very highdata rates.

A wireless device may include both a narrow-band transmitter to provideboth power and clock signals to a wireless memory tag. The wirelessdevice may further include an ultra-wide band transceiver to transmitand receive ultra-wide band signals with the wireless memory tag, at avery high data rate within reference time frames established by thenarrow-band clock signals. Correspondingly, the wireless memory tag mayinclude a wireless module to extract the narrow-band clock signal andwireless power signal to establish the reference time frames and toreceive the operating power from the wireless device. The wirelessmemory module may further include an ultra-wide band transceiver totransmit and receive the ultra-wide band signals with the wirelessdevice, at the very high data rate within the reference time framesestablished by the narrow-band clock signals.

The narrow-band signal may have an example frequency in the range of 860MHz to 960 MHz or 13.65 MHz. The bandwidth of the narrow band signaldepends on embodiment and may be for example, 50 kHz to 1 MHz. Thenarrow-band synchronization signal provides a timing reference forwireless memory tags that are within range. The ultra-wide bandtransceiver may have an example frequency of 7.9 GHz. Another frequencyband is the 60 GHz ISM band. The wireless memory tag may reside anywherewithin a range corresponding to a radio propagation distance on theorder of half a meter.

E. Digital Camera Technology

Many wireless mobile devices, such as cell phones, include a digitalcamera. Digital cameras include a single lens or a lens system forforming an image on a sensor, such as a solid-state sensor. Under thecontrol of a processor, an image is captured when the user takes apicture and the captured image may be stored in a memory. The camera mayhave a user-interface to allow the user to choose the settings of thecamera. The camera may also have a flash unit with an emissive lightsource, such as a light emitting diode (LED), powered by the camera'sbattery, to illuminate the object being photographed. The flash unit maybe operatively connected to the processor so that the light source ofthe flash unit may be controlled or addressed by the processor. Thecamera may have an ambient light sensing unit for determining the levelof ambient light. A lookup table associated with the processor, maystore calibration weights for the amount of power to be applied to theflash unit LED to compensate for various levels of ambient light sensedby the light sensing unit. If the sensor signal is below a pre-definedvalue, the flash unit is identified as the main source of illumination,and the calibration weights is selected from the lookup table to producea correct amount of illumination to enable capturing a good image of theobject being photographed.

F. Use of Mobile Device Camera Flash for Powering Electronic Devices

In accordance with an example embodiment of the invention, the cameraflash of a mobile wireless device may be used to provide additionalpower to a wireless memory tag. In an example embodiment of theinvention, a mobile wireless device may be used to read a wirelessmemory tag in the same way as it would be used to read an NFC tag. AnNFC controller in the mobile wireless device may be used to transmitsignal energy that may be collected by an NFC controller in the wirelessmemory tag and used to power the wireless memory tag's electronics. Thecamera flash in the mobile wireless device may be located so that mostof the light available from the camera flash will illuminate the surfaceof the wireless memory tag. The light transmitted by the camera flashmay be collected in the tag by means of a photovoltaic cell or solarpanel and used by the electronics of the tag. In this manner, the poweravailable in the tag for data transfer and processing is significantlyincreased.

In accordance with an example embodiment of the invention, the NFCcontroller of the mobile wireless device may send an NFC interrogationsignal to read the NFC controller of the wireless memory tag and receivea radio frequency NFC response signal from the tag. The response signalmay indicate that the wireless memory tag may be capable of receivingoptical powering. An initial setup negotiation may be conducted betweenthe mobile wireless device and the wireless memory tag, via an NFCconnection established between the devices. The mobile wireless devicemay receive a radio frequency wireless message from the wireless memorytag, indicating optical power requirements of the wireless memory tag.In response, the mobile wireless device may transmit optical power at alevel based on the indicated optical power requirements.

Then, in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention, themobile wireless device may switch on its camera flash and transmit theoptical power to the wireless device in response to the indicatedoptical power requirements.

In accordance with an example embodiment of the invention, the wirelessmemory tag may receive the optical power from the mobile wireless deviceand use it to operate the electronic components in the tag, includingaccessing, reading from and writing into the memory module in the tag.

In accordance with an example embodiment of the invention, the mobilewireless device may receive an NFC message from the wireless memory tag,indicating a change in optical power requirements of the tag. Inresponse, the mobile wireless device may adjust the optical powertransmitted it transmits, based on the indicated change in optical powerrequirements.

In accordance with an example embodiment of the invention, the mobilewireless device may transmit optical power to the wireless memory tag tosupplement energy provided to the wireless memory tag by the near fieldcommunications signal.

In accordance with an example embodiment of the invention, the mobilewireless device may receive an NFC message from the wireless memory tag,indicating no more optical power may be required by the tag and, inresponse, switch off the camera flash energy source in the mobilewireless device.

In accordance with an example embodiment of the invention, analternative to a camera flash may be the light source of a picoprojector. It may be used in two ways: 1) the projectors lens may bedirectly pointed towards the tag, or 2) there may be an alternativelight guide that may be used to channel the projector's light to aconvenient location for powering the tags.

In accordance with an example embodiment of the invention, analternative to a camera flash may be any suitably located and brightenough light source for powering. In case a mobile device, tablet, etcmay contain a separate torch, that may also be used.

FIG. 1A is an example network diagram of a mobile wireless device A anda wireless memory tag B, performing an initial setup negotiation 40using a Near Field Communications (NFC) connection. The negotiation maybe to establish supplementary optical power delivery from the mobilewireless device A to the wireless memory tag B, in accordance withexample embodiments of the invention.

In accordance with an example embodiment of the invention, the mobilewireless device A may be a communications device, PDA, cell phone,laptop or palmtop computer, or the like. The mobile wireless device Aincludes a processor 20A, which includes a dual core or multi-corecentral processing unit (CPU_(—)1 and CPU_(—)2), a random access memory(RAM), a read only memory (ROM), and interface circuits to interfacewith one or more radio transceivers, battery and other power sources,key pad, touch screen, display, microphone, speakers, ear pieces, cameraor other imaging devices, etc. in the mobile wireless device A. The RAMand ROM may be removable memory devices such as smart cards, SIMs, WIMs,semiconductor memories such as RAM, ROM, PROMS, flash memory devices,etc. The an NCI driver in mobile wireless device A communicates over anNFC controller interface (NCI) with NCI firmware in the NFC controller16A via a transport layer driver in mobile wireless device A and atransport layer firmware in NFC controller 16A.

The mobile wireless device A may include a digital camera 22 and an LEDflash 24 or other suitable flash source. The digital camera includes asingle lens or a lens system for forming an image on a sensor, such as asolid-state sensor. Under the control of the processor 20A, an image maybe captured when the user takes a picture and the captured image may bestored in the RAM memory. The camera 22 may have a user-interface toallow the user to choose the settings of the camera. The camera 22 mayalso have a flash unit 24 with an emissive light source, such as a lightemitting diode (LED) or other suitable flash source, powered by thebattery 26, to illuminate the object being photographed. The flash unit24 may be operatively connected to the processor 20A so that the LEDlight source or other suitable flash source of the flash unit 24 may becontrolled or addressed by the processor 20A. The camera 22 may have anambient light sensing unit for determining the level of ambient light. Alookup table associated with the processor 20A, may store calibrationweights for the amount of power to be applied to the flash unit LED orother suitable flash source 24 to compensate for various levels ofambient light sensed by the light sensing unit. If the sensor signal maybe below a pre-defined value, the flash unit 24 may be identified as themain source of illumination, and the calibration weight may be selectedfrom the lookup table to produce a correct amount of illumination toenable capturing a good image of the object being photographed.

The mobile wireless device A and wireless memory tag B are each coupledto an NFC controller 16A and NFC controller 16B, respectively, via anNFC controller interface (NCI). The NFC controllers 16A and 16B arecapable of exchanging near-field communication (NFC) RF signals,according to an embodiment of the present invention. The mobile wirelessdevice A may request that the NFC controller 16A start discovery bysending a “discover” command. Once discovery has been started, the NFCcontroller 16A notifies the mobile wireless device A of every detectabletarget NFC device or tag by sending a Notification with a Status andrelevant parameters.

The NFC controller 16A may be embodied as hardware, software, firmware,or a combination of these constructs. It may be an integral part of themobile wireless device A or it my be an integrated circuit chip or cardphysically attached to the mobile wireless device A, such as with aflash card adapter. The NFC controller 16A may includes a processor, aread only memory (ROM), and random access memory (RAM). The NFCcontroller 16A may include an NFC radio or the NFC radio may beseparately connected. The NFC controller 16A may include its own batteryor it may use power supplied by the mobile wireless device A. The ROMand/or RAM may be a removable memory device such as a smart card, SIM,WIM, semiconductor memory such as RAM, ROM, PROMS, flash memory devices,etc.

NCI firmware in the NFC controller 16A communicates bidirectionally withthe NFC controller 16B via magnetic field induction, where two loopantennas are located within each other's near-field, effectivelyenergizing a wireless contact by forming an air-core transformer. Anexample NFC radio operates within the unlicensed radio frequency ISMband of 13.56 MHz, with a bandwidth of approximately 2 MHz over atypical distance of a few centimeters. The user may bring the NFC radioon the NFC controller 16A close to the NFC controller 16B of thewireless memory tag B to allow near-field, bidirectional communicationbetween the devices.

When two NFC controllers 16A and 16B are brought into close proximity,they may establish NFC communication based on the NFC Forum Logical LinkControl Protocol (LLCP) specification. In example embodiments of theinvention, the NFC controller 16A may be a contactless smartcard readerhaving characteristics similar to those described in the ISO/IEC 14443proximity-card standard, the smartcard and reader being associated orcombined as a single component capable of two-way communication, and mayuse the ISO/IEC 18092 NFC communication standard.

In accordance with an example embodiment of the invention, the NFCcontroller 16A of the mobile wireless device A may send an NFCinterrogation signal to read the NFC controller 16B of the wirelessmemory tag B and receive a radio frequency NFC response signal 40 fromthe tag B. The response signal 40 may indicate that the wireless memorytag B may be capable of receiving optical powering. An initial setupnegotiation may be conducted between the mobile wireless device A andthe wireless memory tag B, via an NFC connection 40 established betweenthe devices. The mobile wireless device A may receive a radio frequencywireless message from the wireless memory tag B, indicating opticalpower requirements of the wireless memory tag B. In response, the mobilewireless device A may transmit optical power at a level based on theindicated optical power requirements. Then, in accordance with anexample embodiment of the invention, the processor 20A of the mobilewireless device A may switch on the camera flash 24 to transmit theoptical power to the wireless memory device B, in response to theindicated optical power requirements.

FIG. 1B is an example network diagram of the mobile wireless device Aand the wireless memory tag B of FIG. 1A, performing the supplementaryoptical power delivery 50 from the mobile wireless device A to thewireless memory tag B. The optical power delivery may be using the LEDflash 24 of the camera component 22 of the mobile wireless device A toilluminate and energize the photovoltaic cell 30 in the wireless memorytag B, in accordance with example embodiments of the invention. Inaccordance with an example embodiment of the invention, the wirelessmemory tag B may receive the optical power 50 from the mobile wirelessdevice A and use it to operate the memory 32 and electronic components34 in the tag B, including accessing, reading from and writing into thememory module 34 in the tag B.

In accordance with an example embodiment of the invention, the mobilewireless device A may receive an NFC message from the wireless memorytag B, indicating a change in optical power requirements of the tag B.In response, the mobile wireless device A may adjust the optical power50 that it transmits, based on the indicated change in optical powerrequirements.

In accordance with an example embodiment of the invention, the mobilewireless device A may transmit optical power 50 to the wireless memorytag B, which provides energy to the wireless memory tag B, to supplementenergy provided to the wireless memory tag B by the near fieldcommunications (NFC) signal 40.

In accordance with an example embodiment of the invention, the mobilewireless device A may receive an NFC message from the wireless memorytag B, indicating no more optical power 50 may be required by the tag Band, in response, the processor 20A in the mobile wireless device A mayswitch off the camera flash 24 in the mobile wireless device A.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, mobile wirelessdevice A may further include a Bluetooth transceiver 14A, a IEEE 802.11WLAN transceiver 12A, and a cellular telephone transceiver 18A. Thecellular telephone transceiver 18A may be based on Wide Area (WAN)communications protocols that include e.g. Global System for MobileCommunications (GSM), General Packet Radio service (GPRS), Enhanced datarates for GSM evolution (EDGE), Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO),Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (W-CDMA), Long Term Evolution(LTE), and Long Term Evolution Advanced (LTE-Advanced).

FIG. 1C is an example network diagram of a mobile wireless device Ax anda wireless memory tag Bx, performing an initial setup negotiation 40using a combined UWB and narrow-band wireless memory tag technology. Thenegotiation may be to establish supplementary optical power deliveryfrom the mobile wireless device Ax to the wireless memory tag Bx, inaccordance with example embodiments of the invention.

The mobile wireless device Ax may include both a narrow-band transmitter19A to provide both power and clock signals 42 to a wireless memory tagBx. The mobile wireless device Ax may further include an ultra-wide bandtransceiver 17A to transmit and receive ultra-wide band signals with thewireless memory tag Bx, at a very high data rate within reference timeframes established by the narrow-band clock signals. Correspondingly,the wireless memory tag Bx may include a wireless module 19B to extractthe narrow-band clock signal and wireless power signal 42 to establishthe reference time frames and to receive the operating power from themobile wireless device Ax. The wireless memory module Bx may furtherinclude an ultra-wide band transceiver 17B to transmit and receive theultra-wide band signals with the mobile wireless device Ax, at the veryhigh data rate within the reference time frames established by thenarrow-band clock signals. Clock extraction may not always be mandatorybut preferable for power saving and simpler synchronization.

The narrow-band signal may have an example frequency in the range of 860MHz to 960 MHz or 13.65 MHz. The bandwidth of the narrow band signaldepends on embodiment and may be for example, 50 kHz to 1 MHz. Thesynchronization signal provides a timing reference for wireless memorytags Bx that are within range. The timing reference provides aresolution of one period, of the synchronization signal, referred to asan elementary time unit, ETU. For instance, if the frequency of thesynchronization signal 152 is 900 MHz, 1 ETU≈1.1 ns.

The ultra-wide band transceiver 17A/17B may have an example frequency of7.9 GHz. In an example embodiment, the modulation of the ultra-wide bandsignal is on-off keying (OOK) modulation with one pulse per symbol, andevery symbol is divided into X ETUs. For example: X=64 and ETU ˜1.1ns=>14.2 Msymbols/second or 14.2 Mbps when one bit is represented by onesymbol. In other words, a pulse repetition period (PRP) or a radio framelasts X ETUs, wherein X is, for instance, 8, 16, 32 or 64.

The radio frame may be also divided into slots where one slot lasts forexample 16 ETUs and thus one PRP equals to four slots (still assumingthat X is 64). One given slot of the frame may be used by one tag fortransmitting (or receiving) a pulse. A symbol may be represented by Xsuccessive pulses. Each pulse may last for at least one ETU. In thisexample embodiment, one pulse may extend over two or more ETUs. Thus,the ultra-wide band transceiver may send pulses to test a given timingoffset (e.g. 0 to 63 ETUs from starting of the PRP), which the wirelessmemory tag may receive after a pulse transfer delay that may be caused,for example, by radio propagation delay and signal processing delays.The response pulses from the wireless memory tag may be sent withanother pulse transfer delay. Assume that the pulses and the sensitivityperiods each cover two ETUs and the wireless memory tag is constructedto advance its transmissions that much, so that if the wireless memorytag is touching the mobile wireless device Ax, the tail of a pulse sentby the wireless memory tag Bx is detected by the mobile wireless deviceAx in one pulse. When such a wireless memory tag Bx is separated by arange matching with the radio propagation delay of one ETU, the responsepulses become delayed by two ETUs (down- and uplinks combined), butstill the response pulses co-inside with one ETU within the receptionsensitivity period of the ultra-wide band transceiver. Thus, thewireless memory tag Bx may reside anywhere within the rangecorresponding to radio propagation during one ETU i.e. some 33 cm incase of 900 MHz, narrow-band synchronization signal.

In accordance with an example embodiment of the invention, an initialsetup negotiation may be conducted between the mobile wireless device Axand the wireless memory tag Bx, via the ultra-wide bandwidth connection40 x established between the devices. The mobile wireless device Ax mayreceive a radio frequency wireless message from the wireless memory tagBx, indicating optical power requirements of the wireless memory tag Bx.In response, the mobile wireless device Ax may transmit optical power ata level based on the indicated optical power requirements. Then, inaccordance with an example embodiment of the invention, the processor20A of the mobile wireless device Ax may switch on the camera flash 24to transmit the optical power to the wireless memory device Bx, inresponse to the indicated optical power requirements.

In accordance with an example embodiment of the invention, the memorytag may have a single-frequency band radio interface. Ifsingle-frequency band radio interface is a narrow-band signal (like13.56 MHz NFC), then the data-rate may be limited (but the efficiency ofwireless powering is better). A limited data rate is useful when thememory size of the wireless memory tag is limited. If single-frequencyband radio interface is a wide-band signal, the data-rate is better forfast memory access in the tag (but efficiency of wireless poweringdecreases). A high data rate supports larger memories, but wirelesspowering limits the memory capacity and speed of memory.

In accordance with an example embodiment of the invention, the wirelessmemory tag may have a dual-frequency band radio interface. By using twofrequencies (one primarily for wireless powering, and the other one forhigh bandwidth) the performance of the wireless memory tag may beimproved.

In both cases additional optical powering improves the performance ofmemory access in wireless memory tag (results as betteroverall/end-to-end performance).

FIG. 1D is an example network diagram of the mobile wireless device Aand the wireless memory tag B of FIG. 1A, where a feedback signal 52from the NFC controller 16B of the wireless memory tag B indicates thereceived level of optical power 50 being delivered to its photovoltaiccell 30. In response, the mobile wireless device A uses the feedbacksignal 52 to generate a lens direction control signal 25 to the lens ofthe LED flash 24. The lens direction control signal may be totransversely sweep the direction of the optical beam 50 issuing from theLED flash 24 so as to target the beam 50 more closely onto thephotovoltaic cell 30 in the wireless memory tag B, in accordance withexample embodiments of the invention. In an example embodiment of theinvention, the feedback signal 52 may be used by mobile wireless deviceA to display information to the user, on a graphical user interface (notshown). The information may be a graphical indication of how toreposition the mobile wireless device A with respect to the wirelessmemory tag B, so as to target the beam 50 more closely onto thephotovoltaic cell 30 in the wireless memory tag B. In an exampleembodiment of the invention, the feedback signal 52 may be used bymobile wireless device A to control the intensity of the optical power50 being delivered by the mobile wireless device A to the photovoltaiccell 30 of the wireless memory tag B. In an example embodiment of theinvention, the feedback signal 52 may be used by mobile wireless deviceA to generate a vibratory signal to the user. The vibratory signal mayindicate how to reposition the mobile wireless device A with respect tothe wireless memory tag B, so as to target the beam 50 more closely ontothe photovoltaic cell 30 in the wireless memory tag B.

FIG. 2A is an example network diagram of a first mobile wireless deviceA and a second mobile wireless device B′, performing an initial setupnegotiation using a Near Field Communications (NFC) connection 40. Thenegotiation may establish supplementary optical power delivery from thefirst mobile wireless device A to the second mobile wireless device B′,in accordance with example embodiments of the invention. In accordancewith an example embodiment of the invention, both the mobile wirelessdevice A and the mobile wireless device B′ may be a communicationsdevice, PDA, cell phone, laptop or palmtop computer, or the like. Boththe mobile wireless device A and the mobile wireless device B′ may havethe same or similar components as are depicted in the FIG. 1A for themobile device A and the wireless memory tag B.

In accordance with an example embodiment of the invention, the NFCcontroller 16A of the mobile wireless device A may send an NFCinterrogation signal to read the NFC controller 16B of the mobilewireless device B′ and receive a radio frequency NFC response signal 40from the mobile wireless device B′. The response signal 40 may indicatethat the mobile wireless device B′ is capable of receiving opticalpowering. An initial setup negotiation may be conducted between themobile wireless device A and the mobile wireless device B′, via an NFCconnection 40 established between the devices. The mobile wirelessdevice A may receive a radio frequency wireless message from the mobilewireless device B′, indicating optical power requirements of the mobilewireless device B′. In response, the mobile wireless device A maytransmit optical power at a level based on the indicated optical powerrequirements. Then, in accordance with an example embodiment of theinvention, the processor 20A of the mobile wireless device A may switchon the camera flash 24 to transmit the optical power to the mobilewireless device B′, in response to the indicated optical powerrequirements.

FIG. 2B is an example network diagram of the first mobile wirelessdevice A and the second mobile wireless device B′ of FIG. 2A, performingthe supplementary optical power delivery 50 from the first mobilewireless device A to the second mobile wireless device B′. The opticalpower delivery may use the LED flash 24 of the camera component 22 ofthe first mobile wireless device A to illuminate and energize thephotovoltaic cell 30 in the second mobile wireless device B′, inaccordance with example embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 2C is an example network diagram of a first mobile wireless deviceAx′ and a second mobile wireless device Bx′, performing an initial setupnegotiation 40 x using a combined UWB and narrow-band wireless memorytag technology. The negotiation may establish supplementary opticalpower delivery from the first mobile wireless device Ax′ to the secondmobile wireless device Bx′, in accordance with example embodiments ofthe invention.

The mobile wireless device Ax may include both a narrow-band transmitter19A to provide both power and clock signals 42 to a mobile wirelessdevice Bx′. The mobile wireless device Ax may further include anultra-wide band transceiver 17A to transmit and receive ultra-wide bandsignals with the mobile wireless device Bx′, at a very high data ratewithin reference time frames established by the narrow-band clocksignals. Correspondingly, the mobile wireless device Bx′ may include awireless module 19B to extract the narrow-band clock signal and wirelesspower signal 42 to establish the reference time frames and to receivethe operating power from the mobile wireless device Ax. The wirelessmemory module Bx may further include an ultra-wide band transceiver 17Bto transmit and receive the ultra-wide band signals with the mobilewireless device Ax, at the very high data rate within the reference timeframes established by the narrow-band clock signals.

The narrow-band signal may have an example frequency in the range of 860MHz to 960 MHz or 13.56 MHz. The bandwidth of the narrow band signaldepends on embodiment and may be for example, 50 kHz to 1 MHz. Thesynchronization signal provides a timing reference for wireless memorytags Bx that are within range. The timing reference provides aresolution of one period, of the synchronization signal, referred to asan elementary time unit, ETU. For instance, if the frequency of thesynchronization signal 152 is 900 MHz, 1 ETU≈1.1 ns.

The ultra-wide band transceiver 17A/17B may have an example frequency of7.9 GHz. In an example embodiment, the modulation of the ultra-wide bandsignal is on-off keying (OOK) modulation with one pulse per symbol, andevery symbol is divided into X ETUs. For example: X=64 and ETU ˜1.1ns=>14.2 Msymbols/second or 14.2 Mbps when one bit is represented by onesymbol. In other words, a pulse repetition period (PRP) or a radio framelasts X ETUs, wherein X is, for instance, 8, 16, 32 or 64.

The radio frame may be also divided into slots where one slot lasts forexample 16 ETUs and thus one PRP equals to four slots (still assumingthat X is 64). One given slot of the frame may be used by one tag fortransmitting (or receiving) a pulse. A symbol may be represented by Xsuccessive pulses. Each pulse may last for at least one ETU. In thisexample embodiment, one pulse may extend over two or more ETUs. Thus,the ultra-wide band transceiver may send pulses to test a given timingoffset (e.g. 0 to 63 ETUs from starting of the PRP), which the wirelessmemory tag may receive after a pulse transfer delay that may be caused,for example, by radio propagation delay and signal processing delays.The response pulses from the wireless memory tag may be sent withanother pulse transfer delay. Assume that the pulses and the sensitivityperiods each cover two ETUs and the wireless memory tag is constructedto advance its transmissions that much, so that if the wireless memorytag is touching the mobile wireless device Ax, the tail of a pulse sentby the mobile wireless device Bx′ is detected by the mobile wirelessdevice Ax in one pulse. When such a mobile wireless device Bx′ isseparated by a range matching with the radio propagation delay of oneETU, the response pulses become delayed by two ETUs (down- and uplinkscombined), but still the response pulses co-inside with one ETU withinthe reception sensitivity period of the ultra-wide band transceiver.Thus, the mobile wireless device Bx′ may reside anywhere within therange corresponding to radio propagation during one ETU i.e. some 33 cmin case of 900 MHz, narrow-band synchronization signal.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, an initial setupnegotiation may be conducted between the mobile wireless device Ax andthe mobile wireless device Bx′, via the ultra-wide bandwidth connection40 x established between the devices. The mobile wireless device Ax mayreceive a radio frequency wireless message from the mobile wirelessdevice Bx′, indicating optical power requirements of the mobile wirelessdevice Bx′. In response, the mobile wireless device Ax may transmitoptical power at a level based on the indicated optical powerrequirements. Then, in accordance with an example embodiment of theinvention, the processor 20A of the mobile wireless device Ax may switchon the camera flash 24 to transmit the optical power to the mobilewireless device Bx′, in response to the indicated optical powerrequirements.

FIG. 3 is an example flow diagram 300 of the process performed by firstmobile wireless device A in the initial setup negotiation using e.g. aNear Field Communications (NFC) or ultra wideband communicationsconnection. The negotiation may establish supplementary optical powerdelivery from the first mobile wireless device A to the second mobilewireless device B, in accordance with example embodiments of theinvention. The steps of the flow diagram represent computer codeinstructions stored in the RAM and/or ROM memory of the mobile wirelessdevice A, which when executed by the central processing units (CPU),carry out the functions of the example embodiments of the invention. Theabbreviation WMH (Wireless Memory Host) in the figure, refers to thereader/writer device of the Wireless Memory Tags (WMT). The steps of theexample method are as follows.

Step 302: Start

Step 304: Proximity of tag detected?

Step 306: Establish connection to tag.

Step 308: Tag supports powering with light?

Step 310: NO: Continue wireless powering with default method.

Step 312: Yes: Request powering level of tag.

Step 314: For optimal performance is extra power needed?

Step 316: YES: Switch on camera flash LED.

Step 318: NO: Is camera flash LED on?

Step 320: YES: Switch LED off.

Step 322: NO: Is connection lost or ended?

Step 324: YES: End

In accordance with an alternate example embodiment of the invention, theWireless Memory Tag (WMT) may provide the powering level automaticallywithout any specific request from the Wireless Memory Host (WMH). Inaccordance with an alternate example embodiment of the invention, themobile wireless device may have already turned on the optical poweringat the start, after which the tag informs that mobile wireless deviceabout the actual optical powering requirements, that is, the receptionof the optical power signal by the tag triggers the tag to inform themobile wireless device about the powering requirements. In accordancewith an alternate example embodiment of the invention, the WirelessMemory Tag (WMT) may inform the Wireless Memory Host (WMH) by radioabout the optical powering requirements, 1) either after a request byradio, 2) without any specific request, or 3) when it detects thatoptical power is available.

FIG. 3A is an example flow diagram 330 of the process performed bymobile wireless device A, in accordance with example embodiments of theinvention. The steps of the flow diagram represent computer codeinstructions stored in the RAM and/or ROM memory of the mobile wirelessdevice A, which when executed by the central processing units (CPU),carry out the functions of the example embodiments of the invention. Thesteps may be carried out in another order than shown and individualsteps may be combined or separated into component steps. Additionalsteps may be included in this sequence. The steps of the example methodare as follows.

Step 332: receiving, via a radio frequency wireless interface of anapparatus, a radio frequency signal from a wireless device, indicatingthat the wireless device is capable of receiving optical powering;

Step 334: switching on, by the apparatus, an optical energy source inthe apparatus; and

Step 336: transmitting, by the apparatus, from the optical energysource, optical power to the wireless device in response to the radiofrequency signal.

FIG. 3B is an example flow diagram 360 of the process performed by thesecond wireless device B′, in accordance with example embodiments of theinvention. The steps of the flow diagram represent computer codeinstructions stored in the RAM and/or ROM memory of the second wirelessdevice B′, which when executed by the central processing units (CPU),carry out the functions of the example embodiments of the invention. Thesteps may be carried out in another order than shown and individualsteps may be combined or separated into component steps. Additionalsteps may be included in this sequence. The steps of the example methodare as follows.

Step 362: transmitting, by an apparatus, a radio frequency signal to amobile wireless device, indicating that the apparatus is capable ofreceiving optical powering;

Step 364: receiving, by the apparatus, optical power from the mobilewireless device in response to the radio frequency signal; and

Step 366: operating, by the apparatus, electronic components in theapparatus, using at least the optical power from the mobile wirelessdevice.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example embodiment of the invention, whereinexamples of removable storage media 126 are shown. The removable storagemedia may be based on magnetic, electronic and/or optical technologies,such as magnetic disks, optical disks, semiconductor memory circuitdevices and micro-SD memory cards (SD refers to the Secure Digitalstandard) for storing data and/or computer program code as an examplecomputer program product, in accordance with at least one embodiment ofthe present invention.

In accordance with an example embodiment of the invention, more energyis provided to a wireless memory device, which contains a non-volatilememory circuit, including relevant controls and interfaces. Inaccordance with an example embodiment of the invention, the wirelessmemory device may contain at least one radio to make it possible totransfer data wirelessly to and from the memory of the device. Inaccordance with an example embodiment of the invention, the wirelessmemory device may be a “tag” or have any other form factor, shape orconfiguration. It may be seen as a wirelessly accessed memory card.Typically, the wireless memory device does not have a battery, but itmay contain at least some type of energy storage.

In an example embodiment, the wireless transceiver carrier in device Aand device B′ may be a suitable short-range communications protocol,such as Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Near Field Communication(NFC), Infrared Data Association (IrDA), or Ultra Wide Band (UWB), forexample.

An example of the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) out-of-bandshort-range carrier is described, for example, ISO 11785 (air interfaceprotocol), ISO 14443 (air interface protocol), and ISO 15693,incorporated herein by reference.

An example of the Near Field Communication (NFC) out-of-band short-rangecarrier is described, for example, in ISO/IEC 14443 and ISO/IEC 18092,incorporated herein by reference.

An example of the Infrared Data Association (IrDA) out-of-bandshort-range carrier is described, for example, in IrDA Link AccessProtocol, v1.1 (1996), incorporated herein by reference.

An example of the Ultra Wide Band (UWB) out-of-band short-range carrieris described, for example, in WiMedia Common Radio PlatformSpecification, Version 1.5 (2010), incorporated herein by reference.

In principle, the radio frequency signal may be generated by any radiothat may operate at the power available in the tag. Although near fieldcommunications signal or an ultra-wide bandwidth signal are the mostlikely ones, but it may be possible to use others. In exampleembodiments, the radio frequency signal may be generated by a suitablecommunications protocol, such as a Vehicle Area (WVAN) communicationsprotocol, Wireless Video Networks (WVAN-TV) communications protocol,Personal Area (WPAN) communications protocol, Local Area (WLAN)communications protocol, or Wide Area (WAN) communications protocol,using the standard procedures and primitives defined by the respectivestandards. Personal Area (WPAN) communications protocols includeBluetooth BR/EDR, Bluetooth Low Energy, Wireless USB (WUSB), UltraWide-band (UWB), ZigBee (IEEE 802.15.4, or IEEE 802.15.4a) for shortrange communication between devices. Local Area (WLAN) communicationsprotocols include IEEE 802.11, digital enhanced cordlesstelecommunications (DECT) and HIPERLAN. Wide Area (WAN) communicationsprotocols include e.g. Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM),General Packet Radio service (GPRS), Enhanced data rates for GSMevolution (EDGE), Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO), Wideband CodeDivision Multiple Access (W-CDMA), Long Term Evolution (LTE), and LongTerm Evolution Advanced (LTE-Advanced).

Using the description provided herein, the embodiments may beimplemented as a machine, process, or article of manufacture by usingstandard programming and/or engineering techniques to produceprogramming software, firmware, hardware or any combination thereof.

Any resulting program(s), having computer-readable program code, may beembodied on one or more computer-usable media such as resident memorydevices, smart cards or other removable memory devices, or transmittingdevices, thereby making a computer program product or article ofmanufacture according to the embodiments. As such, the terms “article ofmanufacture” and “computer program product” as used herein are intendedto encompass a computer program that exists permanently or temporarilyon any computer-usable medium or in any transmitting medium whichtransmits such a program.

As indicated above, memory/storage devices include, but are not limitedto, disks, optical disks, removable memory devices such as smart cards,SIMs, WIMs, semiconductor memories such as RAM, ROM, PROMS, etc.Transmitting mediums include, but are not limited to, transmissions viawireless communication networks, the Internet, intranets,telephone/modem-based network communication, hard-wired/cabledcommunication network, satellite communication, and other stationary ormobile network systems/communication links.

Although specific example embodiments have been disclosed, a personskilled in the art will understand that changes can be made to thespecific example embodiments without departing from the spirit and scopeof the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: receiving, via a radiofrequency wireless interface of an apparatus, a radio frequency signalfrom a wireless device, indicating that the wireless device is capableof receiving optical powering; switching on, by the apparatus, anoptical energy source in the apparatus; and transmitting, by theapparatus, from the optical energy source, optical power to the wirelessdevice in response to the radio frequency signal.
 2. The method of claim1, further comprising: receiving, by the apparatus, a radio frequencywireless message from the wireless device, indicating optical powerrequirements of the wireless device; and transmitting, by the apparatus,optical power at a level based on the indicated optical powerrequirements.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: exchanging,via the radio frequency wireless interface of the apparatus, radiofrequency wireless messages including data to be communicated with thewireless device.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:transmitting a radio frequency signal providing initial power for thewireless device, the signal comprising near field communication signal;and transmitting, by the apparatus, optical power to the wirelessdevice, to supplement the energy provided by the radio frequency signal.5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving, by theapparatus, a radio frequency wireless message from the wireless device,indicating no more optical power is required by the wireless device; andswitching off, by the apparatus, the optical energy source in theapparatus;
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is a mobiledevice that includes a camera and the optical energy source in theapparatus comprises an optical flash associated with the camera.
 7. Amethod, comprising: transmitting, by an apparatus, a radio frequencysignal to a mobile wireless device, indicating that the apparatus iscapable of receiving optical powering; receiving, by the apparatus,optical power from the mobile wireless device in response to the radiofrequency signal; and operating, by the apparatus, electronic componentsin the apparatus, using at least the optical power from the mobilewireless device.
 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising: using, bythe apparatus, an excess portion of the received optical power forreading data from or storing data into an associated memory of theapparatus.
 9. The method of claim 7, further comprising: exchanging, bythe apparatus, radio frequency wireless messages including data via aradio frequency wireless interface of the mobile wireless device. 10.The method of claim 7, further comprising: transmitting, by theapparatus, a radio frequency wireless message to the mobile wirelessdevice, indicating optical power requirements of the apparatus; andreceiving, by the apparatus, optical power from the mobile wirelessdevice, at a level based on the indicated optical power requirements.11. A apparatus, comprising: an optical energy source; a radio frequencywireless interface; at least one processor; at least one memoryincluding computer program code; the at least one memory and thecomputer program code configured to, with the at least one processor,cause the apparatus at least to: receive, via the radio frequencywireless interface, a radio frequency signal from a wireless device,indicating that the wireless device is capable of receiving opticalpowering; switch on the optical energy source in the apparatus; andtransmit, from the optical energy source, optical power to the wirelessdevice in response to the radio frequency signal.
 12. The apparatus ofclaim 11, further comprising: the at least one memory and the computerprogram code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause theapparatus at least to: receive a radio frequency wireless message fromthe wireless device, indicating optical power requirements of thewireless device; and transmit optical power at a level based on theindicated optical power requirements.
 13. The apparatus of claim 11,further comprising: the at least one memory and the computer programcode configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatusat least to: exchange, via the radio frequency wireless interface, radiofrequency wireless messages including data to be communicated with thewireless device.
 14. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising: theat least one memory and the computer program code configured to, withthe at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: transmit aradio frequency signal providing initial power for the wireless device,the signal comprising near field communication signal; and transmitoptical power to the wireless device, to supplement the energy providedby the radio frequency signal.
 15. The apparatus of claim 11, furthercomprising: the at least one memory and the computer program codeconfigured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus atleast to: receive a radio frequency wireless message from the wirelessdevice, indicating no more optical power is required by the wirelessdevice; and switch the optical energy source in the apparatus;
 16. Theapparatus of claim 11, wherein the apparatus is a mobile device thatincludes a camera and the optical energy source in the apparatuscomprises an optical flash associated with the camera.
 17. A apparatus,comprising: at least one processor; at least one memory includingcomputer program code; the at least one memory and the computer programcode configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatusat least to: transmit a radio frequency signal to a mobile wirelessdevice, indicating that the apparatus is capable of receiving opticalpowering; receive optical power from the mobile wireless device inresponse to the radio frequency signal; and operate electroniccomponents in the apparatus, using at least the optical power from themobile wireless device.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17, furthercomprising: the at least one memory and the computer program codeconfigured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus atleast to: use an excess portion of the received optical power forreading data from or storing data into an associated memory of theapparatus.
 19. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising: the atleast one memory and the computer program code configured to, with theat least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: exchange radiofrequency wireless messages including data via a radio frequencywireless interface of the mobile wireless device.
 20. The apparatus ofclaim 17, further comprising: the at least one memory and the computerprogram code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause theapparatus at least to: transmitting, by the apparatus, a radio frequencywireless message to the mobile wireless device, indicating optical powerrequirements of the apparatus; and receiving, by the apparatus, opticalpower from the mobile wireless device, at a level based on the indicatedoptical power requirements.
 21. A computer program product comprisingcomputer executable program code recorded on a computer readablenon-transitory storage medium, the computer executable program codecomprising: code for receiving, via a radio frequency wireless interfaceof an apparatus, a radio frequency signal from a wireless device,indicating that the wireless device is capable of receiving opticalpowering; code for switching on, by the apparatus, an optical energysource in the apparatus; and code for transmitting, by the apparatus,from the optical energy source, optical power to the wireless device inresponse to the radio frequency signal.
 22. A computer program productcomprising computer executable program code recorded on a computerreadable non-transitory storage medium, the computer executable programcode comprising: code for transmitting, by an apparatus, a radiofrequency signal to a mobile wireless device, indicating that theapparatus is capable of receiving optical powering; code for receiving,by the apparatus, optical power from the mobile wireless device inresponse to the radio frequency signal; and code for operating, by theapparatus, electronic components in the apparatus, using at least theoptical power from the mobile wireless device.